The challenge of cervical cancer in India: why vaccination is important but not enough

Last update:January 1, 2025, 00:06 IST

This disease disproportionately affects Indian women and casts a shadow on their health, their dreams and their families.

Cervical cancer, although one of the most preventable cancers, remains a poignant health crisis in India. This disease disproportionately affects Indian women and casts a shadow on their health, their dreams and their families. With nearly 1.23 lakh new cases and 77,000 deaths a year, the statistics are not just numbers: they represent lives lost, families shattered and opportunities stolen. Dr Tripti Dubey, Senior Consultant Obstetrics, Gynecology and Robotic Surgery, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai, shares everything you need to know

The WHO perspective: Where India stands

The World Health Organization (WHO) has consistently emphasized that cervical cancer can be prevented, mainly through vaccination and regular screening. However, India bears one-fifth of the global cervical cancer burden, largely due to low HPV awareness, limited vaccination reach, and systemic gaps in healthcare. WHO's goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030 is not simply a medical ambition: it is a call to action that demands emotional resonance and social change.

The emotional cost: women at the heart of families

Cervical cancer is not just a disease; It is a silent disrupter of lives. In India, women are often the caregivers, nurturers and emotional anchors of families. A diagnosis of cervical cancer can disrupt these roles, leaving children motherless and families adrift. Young women, many of them of reproductive age, face the double trauma of fighting cancer and the fear of losing their ability to have children. The psychological impact is immense, as the social stigma around reproductive health further isolates these women.

Vaccination: a crucial but incomplete shield

The introduction of an affordable, locally developed HPV vaccine marks a major milestone in cervical cancer prevention in India. However, vaccination alone cannot overcome the systemic challenges that limit its success.

1. Low vaccination acceptanceDespite the availability of the vaccine, only 9% of eligible girls in India have received it, far behind countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom, where coverage exceeds 80%. Economic challenges, including logistical costs and the need for training of health workers, increase the burden, while NFHS-5 data shows that less than 30% of families in rural areas even know about the vaccine.
2. Geographic disparities in accessRural and semi-urban regions, where 65% of the population lives, face significant obstacles to accessing vaccines. More than 70% of primary health centers in these areas lack cold storage facilities (ICMR), and a shortage of 1.4 million health workers (WHO) further hinders service delivery. Additionally, HPV vaccination is often not prioritized in national immunization efforts, as it focuses on diseases with higher immediate mortality rates.
3. Social and cultural barriersMyths and stigma around the HPV vaccine significantly hinder its acceptance. Misconceptions, such as the belief that vaccination promotes early sexual activity, deter families, while NFHS-5 data reveals that 52% of women feel uncomfortable discussing reproductive health even with close family members. Gender biases and limited conversations about reproductive health deepen resistance. A holistic strategy that combines vaccination with education, outreach and infrastructure improvements is essential. Global success stories like Rwanda demonstrate how strong health systems and community engagement can overcome these challenges. With the right measures, India could achieve a 70% reduction in the incidence of cervical cancer by 2040, as estimated by the WHO, saving countless lives.

Screening and early detection: saving lives before it's too late

While vaccination offers protection, regular exams are essential to detect precancerous changes. However, only 22% of Indian women aged 30 to 49 have ever been screened for cervical cancer. Late-stage diagnosis in 70% of cases highlights a health system that fails to reach women when it matters most.

Screening is not just a medical process: it is an opportunity to give women a fighting chance. Every missed evaluation represents a missed opportunity to save a mother, sister, or daughter.

Fertility preservation: protecting dreams of motherhood

For many young women, cervical cancer is not just a battle for survival but a fight for the possibility of becoming mothers. The emotional devastation of fertility loss compounds the trauma of cancer. Advances such as radical trachelectomy and cryopreservation offer hope, but these options remain out of reach for most due to high costs and limited availability outside of urban centers.

Integrating fertility preservation into cancer care can transform not only survival rates but also the quality of life of survivors. It's about giving women the option to dream of a future beyond cancer.

The road ahead: turning crisis into opportunity

To reduce the burden of cervical cancer in India, the fight must be holistic and combine prevention, awareness, treatment and aftercare:

1. Amplify awarenessCampaigns must have emotional resonance and call on families and communities to prioritize women's health. Survivors' narratives can inspire action and reduce stigma.
2. Strengthen detectionAffordable and accessible screening centers in rural and semi-urban areas can bridge the gap in healthcare.
3. Address stigmaCommunity influencers, healthcare workers, and educators must lead sexual and reproductive health dialogues to dismantle taboos.
4. Support fertility preservationSubsidized fertility preservation options can provide hope and dignity to young women battling cervical cancer.
5. Data-driven solutionsPolicies must be based on solid data to address specific gaps in vaccination, screening and treatment.Call to action: a future free of cervical cancerIndia's battle against cervical cancer is not just a healthcare mission: it is a fight for equity, dignity and the right to health. Every woman saved is a story of resilience, a family preserved and a future reclaimed. By prioritizing both prevention and comprehensive care, India can turn the tide and move closer to the WHO goal of eliminating cervical cancer. Now is the time to act. Behind every statistic is a woman whose life we ​​can save and whose story we can rewrite. Let's make sure that cervical cancer is not only preventable in theory but actually preventable. Together we can make this disease a relic of the past.